Being A 3rd AD in the TV & Film Industry – A Conversation with Jen Lim
17th October 2024, by Shreyas Ranjan
The film and television industry can seem like a difficult one to navigate at times. In an industry as unpredictable as this, there is not really a definitive or guaranteed path to get to where you want to be, and sometimes it can almost feel like being on one side of a heavily barricaded road, trying to get to the other. However, it can be helpful to hear about the experiences of someone who has broken into and achieved success in the industry. We, at All Spring Media (ASM), got in touch with former ASM graduate Jen Lim, who has done a lot of great work in feature films and high-end television shows such as I Came By and Black Mirror, about what her journey in the industry has been like, and the role of a 3rd Assistant Director (AD) on set.
Jen first started out as a Screenskills AD trainee before moving on to being a 3rd AD on feature films and high-end television and has also donned the hats of a 1st and 2nd Assistant Director on smaller-scale productions and commercials. When asked about what her experience as a 3rd in the AD department has been like, she said, “I feel like every role is so varied depending on the demands of the production as well as your role on it. On some, you are there from prep to wrap, whereas when you come in as an additional floor or crowd 3rd perhaps only for a day here or there, you have to acclimatise the moment you land at base. I’m still learning the ins and outs of it all -(as) no two jobs or two days are the same, and I love the industry for that.”
A lot of people may not be familiar with the exact role of a 3rd AD, and what their relationship to others on set is like. As someone who has a lot of experience in this role, Jen explains that “3rd ADs are the right hand of the 1st AD. You are there to support and anticipate anything they may need, as well as to be the line of communication between the director and the 1st. You have discussions at some point with every other department and have from one Floor or Crowd PA (Production Assistant) upwards to coordinate depending on the size of the production, or the needs of the shoot day. It is very much a people management sort of job, from working with SAs (Supporting Artists) to liaising with members of the public. That is a quick summary but there is so much more to the role!”
When asked about her favourite part of the job, Jen said “I absolutely love being on set. I love the atmosphere, meeting and working with new people and being part of a bigger picture. I think if I didn’t thrive under pressure, I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I do but I’m someone who needs to be on-the-go most of the time, so this part of it suits me to a tee.” As rewarding as the role can be, like every other job it also comes with its own set of challenges. “For me I think it is being on top of everything, everywhere, all at once! You’re constantly having to shift your priorities as new problems arise. There is not really any downtime and if anything is quiet, whether on or off the radio, you immediately think something has gone wrong!” Jen’s advice to people thinking of pursuing a career as a 3rd is that while as an AD “you are looking after everyone (else), don’t forget yourself. Burnout is real!”
Not all 3rd ADs are the same though. Different people approach the role in different ways. Jen’s opinion on what she thinks set a successful 3rd AD apart from the rest is that “the best ADs are approachable, efficient, and able to communicate effectively. A director once said to me that you can tell you are good when people are willing to listen to you and follow your directions, but you can still all get along after. I believe a lot is in the attitude and how you approach the tasks you have.”
Jen has been associated with All Spring Media (ASM) for a while now. She did a Moving Up To 2nd AD skills bootcamp in March of 2024, and has since also delivered lessons as a trainer for the 3rd AD Course. Jen’s response to being asked about how she thinks the Becoming a 3rd AD skills bootcamp can help prepare someone for a career in the role was “Honestly, I have said this to those at ASM but I really wish I went to something like this when I first started out. Whilst, there is no shortcut to getting that on-set experience and observing firsthand, I know I definitely would have felt more prepared and confident going on to those earlier roles.”
While applications for the October 2024 cohort of All Spring Media’s Becoming a 3rd AD skills bootcamp are now closed, the applications for the March 2025 cohort begin on January 6th, 2025. So, keep an eye out for that if, like Jen, you are looking to have a successful career as an AD in the film and television industry.
We are very grateful to Jen for taking the time to answer these questions, and sharing her experiences with us. You can find her on Instagram @sjenl
